Handgrip attachment for bathtubs



June 23, 1953 I. a. LOE 2,642,581

HANDGRIP ATTACHMENT FOR BATHTUBS I Filed May 26, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VEN TOR.

147 7 DRNEYS June 23, 1953 l. G. 1.0!: 2,642,581

HANDGRIP ATTACHMENT FOR BATHTUBS v Filed May 26, 1948 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I/ l/lll l III/I INVENTOR.

Patente d June 23, 1953 HANDGRIP ATTACHMENT FOR BATH'TUBS Ira G. Lee, Cleveland, hio,assignor to Thurman L. Marr, Andover, Ohio Application May 26, 1948, Serial No. 29,329

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a hand-grip attachment to be applied to a bath tub as a means of assisting the user in arising within the tub and preventing him from falling.

One object is to devise such an attachment that may be readily and removably applied to either side of a bath tub so that it may be engaged by either the right or left hand of the user.

Another object is to devise such an attachment with means for ensuring even more effective and dependable engagement of the same with the bath tub as a result of the exertion of force by the user during actual use of the device in the manner intended.

Another object is to ensure such increased effective engagement of the device with the bath tub, during actual use of the device, when positioned upon either the right-hand or left-hand side of the bath tub.

Another object is to devise such a device in the form of a unitary attachment which isreversible so as to permit the same to be secured to either the right-hand or the left-hand side of the bath tub, such securing means being arranged oiT-center with respect to the longitudinal axis of the attachment so as to permit most efiective engagement of the opposite edge portion thereof with the tub during actual use of the device.

Another object is to devise a unitary form of. hand-grip attachment with means for securing the same to the under-side of the top edge portion of the separate form of bath tub such securing means being so arranged that there may be assured most effective engagement of thedevice with the top edge of the bath tub when applied upon either the right-hand or the lefthand side of the tub.

Another object is to devise such an attachment that may be applied to the outer edge of a set-1n bath tub, whether on the right-hand or on the left-hand side thereof, and that includes means for efiecting engagement with the top edge of the tub when the device is in actual use, that 15 additional engagement so as to increase the effectiveness and dependability of the device.

Other objects will appear from the following description and claims when considered together with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of my present hand-grip device applied to the edge of the separate form of bath tub with its top edge in rolled form; p

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the attachment itself;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view thereof;

I gitudinal axis of the extension 3 from the posi-' 'tion of the user; and. his exertion of pulling force Fig. 4 is a sectional view of another form of my present invention applied to the top edge of the more modern set-in form of bath tub;

Fig. 5 is a view of one end of this form of device;

Fig. 6 is a view of the other end of this same form of device; and

Fig. '7 is a top plan view of this second form of device shown in position.

It is to be understood that the present form of discloseure is merely for the purpose of illustration and that there might be devised various modifications thereof without departing from the spirit of my invention as herein set forth and claimed. I

I will refer first to the form of device that is adapted for use upon the older separate form of bath tub, with the rolled top edge, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and-3 of the present drawings. In this case, the attachment comprises the handgrip portion l with the integral lower portion la which is adapted to rest upon the top edge of the bath tub, the bottom surface of the portion la being of substantially the same curvature as the rolled edge portion of the bath tub. The extension 2 is integral with the portions I and la and extends outwardly therefrom and downwardly about the rolled edge portion of the bath tub, and thence inwardly beneath the same, as indicated by reference numeral 3. The inwardly extending portion 3 is of substantially the same width as the portion la and is provided with duplicate screw-threaded holes 4 upon opposite sides of the axis thereof. Thus each of the two holes 4 may be said to be ofi-center with respect to the axis of the portion 3. Either of the holes 4 is adapted to receive a wing-headed screw 5 for securing engagement with the under-side of the rolled edge portion of the bath tub. The comparatively rough under-surface of the tub which is engaged by the screw 5 will serve to hold the same in set position.

A screw 5 will be engaged in only one of the holes 4, two such holes being provided so that the attachment may be reversible for use upon either the right-hand or left-hand side of the bath tub. The screw 5 will be applied to that hole 4 which is upon the opposite'side of the lonupon the hand-grip portion I will cause the near edge of the same to be engaged downwardly against the top edge of the bath tub, thereby producing' another point of engagement with the bath tub and consequently with increased bear- .1 3 ing or binding engagement therewith. This action serves to ensure even greater security in the permanency of the position of the attachment during its use, and hence the danger of accidental slipping of the same is reduced practically to nil. It will be observed that both edges of the portion I a are of the same form so that either edge thereof may have this same binding or bearing engagement according to whether the attachment isapplied to the one side or to the other side of the bath tub. It should be remembered that the one hole 4 is for use in the one instance and the other hole 4 is for use in the other in-' stance, the portion Ia having engagement at its edge that is on the same side of the longitudinal axis with respect to the position of the user.

In case of variation in the size or contour of 7 the rolled edge portion of the bath tub, this may be compensated for by suitable adjustment of the screw 5 which may be tightened to the extent required in order to efi'ect secure engagement with the bath tub in the manner above explained. Also, the contour of the portions 2 and 3 and the space between the portion 3 and the portion Ia will be such that slight variations in different bath tubs of this same type, will not preclude the use of the same attachmentthereupon.

In the form of device illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings, the handgrip portion 6 has a downwardly extending arm I integral therewith, the lower end of this arm I having a bearing portion 8' and an upwardly and inwardly extending pointed projection 9 for engagement in the center aperture ill in the circular disk II. The disk II has an integral hood portion I2 extending over the aperture I I) and co-operating with the projection 9 in forming together a universal and automatically adjusting cr compensating connection. I

At the other end of the hand-grip portion 6 there is a separate arm l3 which extends downwardlyand terminates in the duplicate bearing portion I4 and duplicate upwardly and inwardly extending pointed projection I5 for engagement in the duplicate central aperture I6 of the duplicate circular disk I! in the same manner as in the case of the projection 9 and its apertured disk I I., and with duplicate integral hood portion Ifia.

The upper end of-the arm |3 has an inward screw-threaded extension I8 which is adapted for screw-threaded engagement within the one end of thescr'ew-threaded hollow member I9 which has screw-threaded engagement also with the screw-threaded member .20 which extends in-' wardly from the other end of the hand-grip por-.

tion 6. These: several members are enclosed within the sleeve member 2i through the lower ends'of the hand-grip portion 6 and across the top edge portion of the bath tub. The sleeve 2| is cut out at the lower side of the one end portion thereof so as to accommodate the positioning of the separate arm I3, and may have its other end swaged and provided with a lock washer 2 la for engagement by the'head of the screw member 20. Thus, with the parts in assembly, the tightening of the screw member 23 will cause the two arms I and I3 and their disks I I and H to be drawn into engagement with the which extends inner and outer surfaces of the side wall of the bath tub. This manner of engagement will permit application of the attachment to bath tubs with varying thickness of the side wall, the degree of tightening adjustment of the screw 20 being variedaccordingly; and any variation in the angle of the inner and'outer surfaces of the celain or the like. Thus the coefficient of friction between the disks and the wall of the bath tub will be greatly increased and the dependability of the device will be increased accordingly.

Formed integrally with the lower ends of the hand-grip portion 6, is the laterally extending arm 22 whose middle depending portion 22a is adapted for effective bearing or binding engagement down upon the top of the edge portion of the bath tub when the ,device is in actual use. The arm 22 will be located upon the side of the hand-grip portion 6 towards the position of the user during actual use of the device, and this device is reversible so as to accommodate the user facing in either direction lengthwise of the tub. Thus, as the user exerts a pulling force upon the hand-grip portion 6 in arising from within the bath tub, the middle part 22a of the arm 22 will be caused to bear down in effective engagement upon the top surface of the edge of the bath tub, thereby producing another point of engagement with the bath tub and with the result that the danger of the device slip-ping is reduced practically to nil and the engagement of the device is accordingly rendered most secure and depend This action is permitted by the universal able. connections at the lower'ends of the arms I and I3 and without disturbing the gripping engagement of the faced disks with the surfaces" of'the wall. of the bath tub. i

The arm 22 will always extend in the same direction whether the outer wall of the bath tub, to which this attachment is applied, be on the righthand or the left-hand side of the tub. 'In'the one instance, the screw member 20 will be manipulated from the outside of the. tub; while, in the other instance, it willbe manipulated from the inside of the bath tub.

It will be observed that in both 'forms of my present .device, there is providedanf attachment that may be readily *appliedto atbath tub at a convenient point thereof for ready assistance to the bather in arising from within the bath tub, thereby reducing the danger offallingl Also,

both of these two forms of device include means of attachment that will allow for variation in the dimensions of diiferent bath tubs to which the device may be applied. Furthermoreboth'of' these two forms of attachment have provision for most effective additional engagementagainst the top surface of the edge'portion of the bath tub during use of the same, thereby producing multiple-point engagement of the device with the wall of the bath tub to which applied.

Moreover, each or" these twofornis ior attachment possesses its own particular features of improvement which are particularly adaptable to.

the older form of bath tub with its upper rolled edges, or to the more modern set-in .form' of bath tub in which the top edge portion is of' substantially plain'formi' These individual improved features will 'be obvious from'theabove description; and :other practical advantages will suggest themselves to those who are familiar with the art to Whlchthis invention'relates, both from the standpoint of use and that of manufacture.

What I claim is:

1. An attachment for a bath tub, comprising a hand-grip portion adapted to be positioned transversely upon the top edge of a bath tub at either the right-hand or the left-hand side thereof, means extending outwardly from said hand-grip portion and inwardly beneath the top edge portion of the bath tub, duplicate means provided upon the two sides of the longitudinal axis of said inwardly extending portion, for effecting securing engagement of either side thereof with the under-side of the top edge portion of the bath tub, and means upon each side of said handgrip portion, forwardly and rearwardly thereof, for engagement at one side thereof with the top edge portion of the bath tub while force is being exerted by the user upon said hand-grip portion in a direction towards the user during normal use of the device.

2. 'An attachment for a bath tub, comprising a hand-grip portion adapted to be positioned transversely upon and in the plane of the top edge portion of the bath tub at either the right-hand or the left-hand side thereof, means integral therewith extending outwardly therefrom and inwardly beneath the top edge portion of the bath tub, means of screw-threaded engagement provided upon each side of the longitudinal axis of said inwardly extending portion, for efiecting securing engagement at either side thereof with the under-side of the top edge portion of the bath tub, and integral means upon each side of said hand-grip portion, forwardly and rearwardly thereof, for bearing engagement at one side thereof with the top edge portion of the bath tub while force is being exerted by the user upon said hand-grip portion in a direction towards the position of the user during normal use of the device.

3. An attachment for a bath tub, comprising a one-piece member with a hand-grip having a lower portion adapted to rest directly upon and to extend transversely across the top edge of a bath tub and having an integral upper portion spaced from said lower portion for gripping by the hand of the user said hand gripping portion being adapted to extend transversely across the top edge of'the bath tub, means for securing said hand-grip to the edge portion of a bath tub including a portion integral with said hand-grip portion and adapted to extend downwardly and inwardly beneath the edge portion of the tub, said lower portion being provided with means towards the position of the user for bearing engagement with the top edge of the bath tub while force is being exerted by the user upon said upper portion in a direction towards the position of the user during normal use of the device.

IRA G. LOE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 870,086 DeCamps Nov. 5, 1907 1,147,348 Wadsworth July 20, 1915 1,405,222 Johnson Jan. 31, 1922 1,775,301 Wiebmer 'Sept. 9, 1930 2,034,705 Anderson Mar. 24, 1936 2,045,815 Wiesjahn June 30, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 354,319 Great Britain Aug. 7, 1931 

